Scotland PFA awards shortlist announced

Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths, Motherwell's Michael Higdon, Niall McGinn of Aberdeen and Andrew Shinnie of Inverness have been shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award.

They were nominated by their fellow professionals, whose votes will decide who succeeds Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew.

On-loan Wolves frontman Griffiths has scored 25 goals during his temporary Easter Road switch this season, with his double over Falkirk earlier this month helping to fire the Leith outfit to the William Hill Scottish Cup final for the second season running.

Fir Park striker Higdon, meanwhile, is the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's top marksman overall with 24 top-flight strikes and 25 overall, helping propel the Steelmen up to second in the SPL standings.

And McGinn has also enjoyed a breakout season since former Pittodrie boss Craig brown converted him from winger to deadly poacher following his switch from Brentford in the summer, bagging 19 goals for the Reds in the process.

Inverness playmaker Shinnie has also had a season to remember, earning himself a summer move to Birmingham with a series of influential displays for the Highlanders and a career-high tally of 15 goals so far.

In the Young Player of the Year category, Victor Wanyama is SPL champions Celtic's only award nominee.

He will face competition from Griffiths - who will hope to emulate former Hoops players Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady by winning both the senior and young player prize in the same year - as well as Dundee United pair Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.

The winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday, May 5.

PFA Scotland Chief Executive Fraser Wishart commented: "This is the top award for players. There is no greater honour in football than to be voted the best player in your country by your fellow professionals."